Date: Sat, 1 Oct 1994 11:08:06 EDT
From: BoiseBear@aol.com
Reprinted with permission of the [Boise] Idaho Statesman - Sat. 10/1/94 -
Page B-1
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56 IDAHO CLERGY BACK ANTI-GAY INITIATIVE
Librarians decry limiting access to 'gay' materials
By Marianne Flagg
The Idaho Statesman
Fifty-six Central Idaho miniters -- including one who said he was abused
in his yourth by a homosexual man -- are declaring their support today
for Proposition One.
The ministers, from 20 central Idaho towns, will make a group
announcement at 1:30 p.m. today in Riggins [Idaho] city park.
The lead minister, the Rev. Fred Emery of the Salmon River Community
Church in Riggins, said he understands the potential dangers posed by gay
men because he was abused when he was 16.
"I was seduced, brought into an area where you were all of a sudden over
your head," said Emery, 38. "I don't have any vendetta against
homoseuxals, but I feel I have some first-hand experience with the
dangers of homosexuality."
He added that not every homosexual would abuse children.
Emery said he supports Proposition One on moral grounds, not solely
because of his experience.
"I think there is a homosexual agenda in Idaho and part of that is to
gain minority status," Emery said.
If passed by voters Nov. 8, Proposition One would prevent the state from
giving legal protection against discrimination specfically to gays and
lesbians, and it would bar the state from spending money to portray
homosexuality as acceptable.
It also would not allow minors to see public-library books addressing
homosexuality.
Other supporting pastors in clude those from New Meadows, Council,
Cambridge, McCall, Donnelly, Grangeville and Orofino.
The initiative has found strong support from many evangelical pastors.
But many mainline churches are opposing the initiative. More than a
dozen faiths are represented in Idaho Voices of Faith for Human Rights.
Meanwhile this week, Boise area librarians and a Meridian parent charged
that Proposition One would greatly increase government control of
education and access to information.
Idaho's public librareis, surveyed earlier this year, said taxpayers
would spend more than $25 million to restructure libraries to segregate
materials containing homosexual references.
Librarians also said they are concerned about limiting young people's
access to information.
"Everyone under 18 would be denied access to valuable forms of
literature, including encyclopedias, novels and periodicals like Time and
Newsweek," said Lynn Melton, director of the Boise Public Library.
Cherie Aubuchon, parent of two Meridian High School students, said, "By
denying my kids access to thse resources, they will end up way behind
students from other states and will enter college without the benefit of
educational tools available to everyone else."
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For more information or to send contributions, contact:
No On One Coalition, PO Box 797, Boise, ID 83701
208-376-1599 voice 208-376-1699 fax NoProp1ID@aol.com
Submitted by BoiseBear@aol.com
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